The Spire
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| Author | William Golding |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | Faber and Faber |
| Released | December 1964 |
| Media Type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 223 p. (hardback edition) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-571-05802-7 (hardback edition) |
The Spire is a 1964 novel by William Golding, who is better known for his novel Lord of the Flies. It was based on the story of the spire of Salisbury Cathedral, which is the highest in England, and so heavy that the four columns that hold it up are visibly bowed. If you are studying the book, the cathedral is definitely worth a visit as you can see the bending pillars, as well as taking the "tower tour"and follow Dean Jocelin's footsteps. You can see up the tower with its Middle Ages wood scaffolding still in place from Roger Mason's time!
[edit] Plot summary
The cathedral's dean named Jocelin begins the construction of a huge spire funded by his adulterous aunt, Lady Alison (who gained him his job from the King, her lover). Against the advice of his colleagues, Jocelin is determined to build a monument that will scrape the sky, thereby exalting the town and bringing them closer to God. Afflicted by pain as a result of tuberculosis in his spine, Jocelin interprets the burning heat as an angel alternately comforting or punishing him.
Throughout the novel, Golding presents Jocelin as struggling with his attraction to Goody Pangall, who has embarked upon an affair with Roger Mason, his Master Builder. Riddled with envy and guilt at his unholy thoughts, Jocelin is left unable to pray.
As the lives of the people around him fall apart because of the effect of this colossal task upon their lives, Jocelin continues to push his dream to a conclusion, his visions and hallucinations driving his logic ever onwards. As the true cost of such an endeavour becomes apparent, the story is doomed to end in tragedy. Dean Jocelin dies as a result of his TB.
[edit] Symbolism
The work is full of fertility rite symbolism, used to expose the similarities and differences between paganism and Christianity; an understanding of the state of the Church during the period in which this story takes place is one of many things to be taken away from it. The badly funded, oversized and poorly designed architectural feature, tied with the eventual physical disease and mental illness of a disappointed man, provides a platform for exploring a number of issues. Golding's symbols contradict the traditional positive view of light and enlightenment. Rather than illuminating Jocelin's judgements, dazzling light impairs his decision making and encourages him in his folly. Jocelin is often found with his 'chin up' and his 'eyes half closed'.
Religious Imagery is used towards the end of the novel as Jocelin lies dying (resultant from the TB in his spine). The Spire falling around him in his delirium, Jocelin declares "it's like the apple-tree!", making reference to the Garden of Eden and Humanity's first sin. Golding draws parallels to Adam and Eve as it is suggested that Jocelin had given in to the lust he felt towards Goody Pangall, represented through the Phallic symbolism of the Spire, in the same way they submitted to the temptations of the Devil.
